The Tasmanian Legislative Council is set to renew pressure on the Rockliff Government over gambling advertising after Independent MLC Meg Webb tabled a motion seeking a formal response to an earlier resolution on state-owned and state-funded venues.
The motion follows the Council’s 2 December 2025 resolution calling for the State government to introduce, within one year, a complete ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship at publicly owned or publicly funded venues, including the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium, and on players’ uniforms.
That resolution also requested an implementation progress report within six months. Webb’s latest motion states that the 2 June 2026 deadline passed without the Government tabling the requested update.
The issue has become tied to the wider national debate over gambling advertising in sport. The Federal Government announced reforms on 2 April 2026 that include bans on gambling advertising in sports venues and on players’ and officials’ uniforms, alongside restrictions on celebrity endorsements, odds-style ads and online targeting.
However, the package only partially implements the recommendations of the 2023 House of Representatives inquiry You Win Some, You Lose More, which called for stronger action on online gambling advertising and harm reduction.
Webb’s motion argues that federal reforms do not prevent Tasmania from taking earlier action across venues within the state’s control. It also frames the issue as a public health responsibility, stating that publicly owned venues should not promote wagering activity through advertising or sponsorship.
The proposed Macquarie Point Stadium remains central to the local dispute because it is planned as a publicly backed sports and events venue linked to Tasmania’s AFL entry. Its role in elite sport has made future advertising and sponsorship rules a live policy issue before the stadium becomes operational.
The motion asks the Rockliff Government to provide a comprehensive response by 10 September 2026, covering both the proposed prohibition and an implementation timeframe.
Australia’s national reform package has already drawn scrutiny over its projected impact. A government impact analysis reported that the proposed gambling advertising restrictions were expected to reduce annual gambling spending by just 0.8%, while a full ban would deliver greater social benefit but carry higher costs for media and sporting bodies.
The original Tasmanian resolution applied to existing state-owned or state-funded venues as well as future venues such as Macquarie Point Stadium
